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Select Board approves $250 structural assessment to test roof for solar potential
Summary
The Select Board agreed to fund a $250 structural engineering review of the municipal building and police station to assess roof age and feasibility for solar panels; the board discussed funding sources and potential impacts on timing for roof replacement.
The Boscawen Select Board authorized a $250 structural engineering assessment of the municipal building and police station to determine whether the roofs can support solar installations.
An energy‑committee member had requested the review after examining building plans; the $250 assessment would identify roof age, structural capacity and whether the municipal buildings are suitable for solar arrays or require repairs before installation. Board members discussed whether the $250 would come from the building account or the energy committee’s modest budget and agreed the assessment could proceed with the expectation that any capital work discovered would be addressed through the usual capital‑planning process.
Why it matters: A low‑cost structural assessment is the first step in evaluating whether municipal buildings are viable candidates for solar, which could reduce long‑term energy costs. Board members said the assessment was inexpensive and that findings would inform future capital‑improvement and grant decisions.
Next steps: The technical review will be submitted to the Select Board, and staff was directed to confirm funding source and bring any recommended capital changes back to the board for approval.
